Reigning Miss Shoshone-Bannock Jennie Whitehorse.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Miss Shoshone-Bannock Jennie Whitehorse hosted an event for young girls to share her experiences as the reigning queen on Thursday, July 11.
She gave her advice to potential participants and encouraged them to run for the title of Miss Sho-Ban, as well as other titles.
Whitehorse said the title of Miss Sho-Ban is one of the most important titles a young woman can achieve within the community.
“She does so much more than powwows, she attends social events, historical events that are really important to our Tribes,” she said.
Also in attendance was the first Miss Shoshone-Bannock Belma Truchot Colter, who was attending the St. Alphonus School of Nursing when she won the title. She said being Miss Sho-Ban teaches you how to express yourself and can open doors of opportunity.
Two potential candidates were in attendance and introduced themselves to the audience. The first young woman was Kaycee Dixey, a 21-year-old, who is an accounting student at Idaho State University. The other was Dystnee Rope, an 18-year-old who recently graduated from Blackfoot High School. She’s always dreamed of running for Miss Sho-Ban.
Kaycee Dixey and Dystnee Rope look at Miss Sho-Ban's beaded crown and banner.
Whitehorse was crowned Miss Sho-Ban on February 12 after Sequoia Pahvitse resigned. The very next day she attended the grand opening of the Fort Hall Casino Hotel. Her next trip was to Denver, March Powwow and began to prepare to view for Miss Indian World. She attended several different events on important topics like Missing Murdered Indigenous Women issues, Native American education, and the Two Spirit LGBTQ event. She vied for Miss Indian World, which is now a requirement of the titleholder. She said she received a lot of community support with her effort. Up to now, Whitehorse said she has counted attending up to 40 events.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock is allocated a travel fund to help with her travel expenses, but she must fill out a travel report upon return.
Whitehorse said Miss Sho-Ban is an ambassador of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and her role is to educate and share her cultural knowledge. She must be updated of issues within the community in case someone asks or wants to know. She’s a representative of the Shoshone-Bannock people.
Whitehorse said as Miss Sho-Ban one is more open to opportunities to learn more. One can make new friends from all over. It also give the opportunity to travel, as well as offers a college scholarship.
“Basically you grow a lot,” she said. “It’s a learning and growing experience.”
She said it’s a full time duty because being Miss Sho-Ban requires a lot and there are events frequently to cover occurring at all times of the day. She said it’s good if a person has job that may be understanding of this, when she worked at Chief Tahgee it was fortunate for her.
She talked about the competition and told the girls it was important to practice and be prepared. She encouraged them to practice speaking or presenting in front of their families and friends, especially their traditional talent and traditional dish. She told them it was okay to write a speech if they had to, until they became more at ease. She also encouraged doing research on topics when asked to speak at events. She also talked about how she introduced herself in Shoshone.
Former Miss Shoshone-Bannock Randy’L Teton who’s also the current royalty coordinator talked a little about her experience. She said being Miss Sho-Ban not only allows you to represent yourself, but also your family and district. She said it's important to know your background and ancestry because when you go to other tribal reservations you may run into someone that knows someone in your family or may be related to you.
Teton said another requirement of Miss Shoshone-Bannock this year will be to participate in at least 20 hours of language classes offered by the Tribes in Shoshone or Bannock. It is for her to learn to introduce herself properly.
Other things Miss Sho-Ban must keep in mind is how she dresses when representing at events and wearing her crown and sash. Social media is another thing Miss Sho-Ban should be mindful of as a representative to share her experience in a positive way.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock must be an enrolled Shoshone-Bannock tribal member; between the ages of 18 to 24 years-old; be a resident of southeast Idaho area; must not have any children, be pregnant, married, engaged, or co-habitat with a male; contestants must be alcohol and drug free; contestant must show sportsmanship and positive attitudes during and after competition; contestants and family members must not fraternize with judges during and after competition; contestants must arrive promptly to all scheduled events; contestants must retain a minimum of three sponsors; applications are due Friday, July 26.
The Royalty Committee will assist Miss Shoshone-Bannock with guidance throughout her reign.